They say that when children are small, they compete to prove who loves their mother more. But when they grow up, when she ages and becomes fragile, suddenly no one wants to take care of her.
This is exactly what happened in the family of Alejandro and Marta. Their mother, Carmen, had given her entire life to them. She worked tirelessly, gave up her dreams, and sacrificed everything she had to give them a better future. She never asked for anything in return, never complained. But when the time came for her to need help, only one of them was willing to stand by her side.
The day everything changed Carmen was still an active woman when her life took an unexpected turn. One cold autumn morning, she suffered a stroke. She was on the brink of death. The doctors managed to save her, but she would never be the same. Her legs no longer supported her, her hands trembled, and even speaking became difficult. She couldn’t walk without assistance, she needed help to eat, dress, and even get out of bed.
Marta was the first to reject the idea of caring for her mother.
“I can’t bring her to my house,” she said without hesitation. “My apartment is small, I have two kids who need all my attention, and my husband works late. I simply can’t take care of her.”
Alejandro didn’t think twice. He knew he couldn’t abandon his mother. He took her to his home, fully aware of the immense responsibility he was assuming.
His wife, Laura, understood that it wouldn’t be easy. Caring for an elderly person isn’t just an obligation; it’s a constant sacrifice. But she didn’t object.
“She’s your mother, we can’t leave her alone,” she said quietly.
Hiring a nurse wasn’t an option: it was too expensive. So Laura became Carmen’s caregiver. She helped her get up, dressed her, fed her. At night, when the elderly woman couldn’t make it to the bathroom in time, Laura would change the sheets without complaint. When Carmen cried, embarrassed by her condition, Laura comforted her gently.
Alejandro watched as his wife slowly wore herself out day by day. One day, he decided to call Marta.
“Could you at least help us financially?” he asked.
“I can’t afford it,” she replied coldly. “I have my mortgage, bills, the kids’ expenses. I barely make ends meet.”
So the entire weight of the situation continued to fall solely on Alejandro and Laura.
When love is a one-way street Months passed. Thanks to Laura’s care, Carmen began to improve a little. She wasn’t completely independent, but she could move with help and even tried to pitch in with small tasks around the house.
One night, with a trembling voice, she looked at her son and asked:
“Can I stay here forever?”
Alejandro looked at his wife. He knew how much she had sacrificed. He could see the exhaustion in her eyes, but she simply nodded.
“Of course, Mom,” he replied quietly.
It seemed that everything was at peace. Until the unexpected happened.
Alejandro came home earlier than usual. As he took off his coat, he heard his mother’s voice from the living room. She was talking on the phone.
“Don’t worry, dear,” Carmen was saying gently. “I’m going to sell my apartment and give you the money. That way you can pay off your mortgage and live more peacefully.”
Alejandro felt the blood freeze in his veins.
But that wasn’t all.
“And the rest I’ll save for Sofía,” his mother continued. “My granddaughter deserves a good start in life.”
Sofía. Marta’s daughter.
Alejandro entered the room. His voice was as cold as ice.
“Mom. What did you just say?”
Carmen turned to him, surprised, but soon she smiled serenely.
“Oh, son, you’re home. It’s nothing important…”
“Nothing important?!” His voice shook with rage. “After everything we’ve done for you? After months of Laura giving up her life to take care of you, you want to give everything to Marta?!”
Carmen sighed as though her son didn’t understand something obvious.
“Alejandro, you’re a man. You’ve always managed on your own. But Marta… she’s a woman, it’s harder for her. I have to help her.”
A cold fire burned inside Alejandro.
“You’ve always managed on your own.”
He had heard that his whole life. When he wanted to go to university, he had to pay for it himself. When he worked tirelessly to buy a house, no one offered support. When his father was still alive and wanted to gift him a car, his mother insisted that money be used for Marta’s wedding.
And now, after he and Laura had given everything for her, Carmen was choosing Marta again.
Without saying a word, Alejandro went to the closet, took out a suitcase, and began packing his mother’s clothes.
“What are you doing?!” Carmen exclaimed, alarmed.
“I’m taking you to Marta’s house,” he said coldly. “If she’s the most important to you, let her be the one to take care of you now.”
“Alejandro, no! You can’t throw me out like this.”
“I’m not throwing you out, Mom,” he replied, looking her in the eye. “I’m just giving you exactly what you wanted. You chose Marta. Now live with that decision.”
When justice no longer exists The next morning, Marta arrived at their house furious.
“Are you crazy?!” she screamed. “How could you throw our mother out?!”
Alejandro looked at her without emotion.
“Where were you when she really needed you?”
“I… I just couldn’t help at that moment,” Marta stammered.
“But now you can accept her money, right?”
She lowered her gaze.
“You never cared about Mom. Only her inheritance.”
Alejandro grabbed the suitcase, placed it by the door, and opened it wide.
“I did my part. Now it’s your turn.”
Carmen stood there, tears in her eyes. Perhaps, for the first time in her life, she understood what she had done.
But for Alejandro, it was already too late.
Did Alejandro do the right thing? Should children equally share the responsibility of caring for their parents? Or is love just a transaction where justice has no place?